Free chicken book Friday!
Once Upon a Flock (Atria Books) is penned by Lauren Scheuer - popular blogger at Scratch and Peck - that is part chicken tale, part know-how. An illustrator by trade and chicken-keeper in her personal life, Scheuer takes us through her backyard makeover, egg emergencies, and introduces us to a confused pigeon that joined her flock.
Fun for anyone who keeps chickens or is considering chickens. To win the book, tell us your chicken-related tale in comments. A winner will be chosen at random, eyes closed, pinkie promise.
Aussies win at the 100th Chelsea Flower Show
The judges turned their backs on tradition at the centenary of Britain’s most famous flower show. They said no to the clipped yews, and yes to the sustainable billabong. Will you be the first on your block to build a billabong?
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The Telegraph—From dead trees to Prince Harry the garden designer, catch the rest of Chelsea here.
Charlotte
Yes you can….
Good idea: sink that barbeque into something that works with your rustic landscape. In this case, vintage cabinetry by the seashore in San Clemente.
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National Geographic—Millions of cicadas will emerge on the East Coast in a 17 year cycle that counts 600 cicadas to every one person.
If you don’t look good in red—
—you can still plant it in your garden. Try this Texas sage ‘Lady in Red’ to give your border some heart and bring the hummers buzzing in. The square-stemmed salvia is tender outside zones 8-10.
Announcing the winner of the Living Picture Kit from Succulent Gardens, donated as a prize to honor the new book, Indoor Plant Decor—Brenda, who grew a small cactus as her first house plant! Congratulations!
Rx when your variegated perennial reverts
The longing for plants with variegated leaves is said to be one of those stages all gardeners go through. So imagine the heartbreak when the beloved variegata or marginata changes its spots and reverts to solid green. What’s a grieving gardener to do?
Valerie Easton has the answer—prune off the monochrome leaves.
Photo of Variegated Hydrangea courtesy of Monrovia
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Syracuse.com—-Tulip vandalism salvaged by flower lovers.
Charlotte
It’s not too late
To get thee over to the old country for the Chelsea Flower Show launch on May 21 when they’ll be celebrating their 100 year anniversary. One of this year’s features—then and now with vintage plant displays alongside what’s popular now.
Speaking of jet-setting….
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Reuters—All the smart people gathered in Oslo say most native plant habitats will be gone this century due to climate change.
Free book Friday!
It’s interesting what designers call a small garden. Small in some locations is large in urban settings. And urbanites consider small something akin to a balcony.
But every one has got a small spot somewhere even if it’s a slice of acreage. “The Small Garden Handbook” - making the most of your outdoor space (Royal Horticulture Society) is eye candy for anyone who has a corner begging for a bit of interest. Full of design ideas, step by steps, plant combos and color suggestions.
To win the book tell us in comments about the smallest place you ever gardened. Window ledge anyone? A winner will be chosen, eyes closed, pinkie promise.
Winner of “Plant Breeding” from lasts week’s giveaway….drum roll….D’s Farmlette!
Best. Rose. Ever.
Even though there are as many roses as there are opinions about them, ‘Just Joey’ continues to be my favorite. Really. What rose can compete with these colors and forms?
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Los Angeles Times - Just for fun - take a guess: Who wins in a street fight with tree branch versus police taser?
An oldie but a goodie
Quick, what’s the common name of this aspidistra?
Hint: sounds like something in your kitchen—
Cast Iron plant. Beloved of the Victorians because it could thrive in their shrouded rooms and even survive leaky gaslight fixtures. In and out of fashion over the decades, but nothing this good is ever out of your life forever.
This particular variety is from the (OMG you don’t get their catalog?) Plant Delights nursery. The lovely ‘Asahi’ is pretty willing—only asks for part shade in zones 7-10.
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Daily Mail—-Maybe your town shouldn’t fix the potholes; London man fills potholes with guerilla gardens.
Charlotte
Win a succulent prize at our Indoor Plant Decor book launch
If you live indoors and love plants, then you need this book—Indoor Plant Decor: The Design Stylebook for Houseplants (St. Lynn’s) will open your eyes to artful ways of using specific plants to boost the mood you create in your home. Far more than just how to keep that Rex begonia alive (although there are plant care tips, too) Kylee Baumle and Jenny Peterson offer an array of decor styles, distinctive containers, and clever DIY projects.
And come on, who doesn’t love to take a quiz? Which is the plant decor style for you? Choose from chapters on Classic Elegance, Cheap Chic, Peaceful Zen, Vintage Vibe, World Beat, Traditional Mix, Modern Eclectic, and the more-macho-rather-than-Harry-Trumanesque Haberdashery. You’re already wondering which one is most you—right? Pick up the book and find out.
But first, enter to win an indoor plant prize! We’re co-hosts of the Virtual Book Party to celebrate Indoor Plant Design and we’re giving away a sumptuous $75 6"x12” Living Picture Kit of succulents from the famed Succulent Gardens in Castroville, on the Central Coast of Caifornia. You know those folks—the people who created the succulent globe at the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show.
Ready to win? Leave us a comment and tell us about your first houseplant. We’ll pick a winner on Sunday night, May 12 and announce here next Monday (as always, eyes closed, pinkie promise).
Win more prizes at the other blogs that are co-hosting this party!
Gossip in the Garden—Cowlick Cottage Farm—The Casual Gardener—Not Just a Housewife—Personal Garden Coach—Digging—The Impatient Gardener—Gardening Gone Wild——Urban Gardens
Charlotte
